Reading Safety Labels
CLB Level: 3/4
Essential Skills Focus:
Reading, Document Use
(read labels, entering
information), working with
others (team work)
Task: Understand safety
and warning signs
Purpose: Students will



understand safety
labels
learn vocabulary
related to safety
labels
be aware of the
importance of
reading and
understanding safety
labels
Materials: Worksheets
(attached), teacher-made
labels (attached), product
bottles with labels,
overhead projector
Learning Style: Visual,
auditory, kinaesthetic
Time: 2 - 3 lessons
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Method:
1. Prepare a few questions in advance that will help
students: scan for specific information and skim for
overall meaning or to get the gist.
2. Bring a few different labels for students to look at
(authentic materials/realia). Have them look at the
format in which it is presented. Have them compare a
few and find some common characteristics. See if they
can find words that reappear in different cleaning
products labels. Make a list of these words to work on
their meaning. See if students know some of these words
and pre-teach the ones they do not know.
Suggested vocabulary:
Dangerous, caution, first aid treatment, fumes, do not mix, rinse,
do not swallow, contact with eyes, avoid, handle with care, keep
out of reach of children, well ventilated area, use, (rubber)
gloves, recommended, call, doctor, Poison Control Centre, flush,
running water, vomiting, move to fresh air.
3. Introducing a few labels. Using an overhead, read part of
a label (see handout 1 -label 1) with the whole group and
work on new vocabulary as needed. Now using your
prepared questions have them look at the labels again and
answer the questions orally. They are reading for meaning
and to find specific information (skimming and scanning).
4. Present another important part of the label (see label 2 –
handout #1). Repeat step 3.
5. Read together a couple more labels. See Handout #1,
labels 3 and 4.
6. Have students practice reading a label in pairs and do a
true or false (handout #2).
7. Do the centres activity. See handout #3.
Follow Up: Students bring products that they find at
home. Working in groups students look at the labels to
find the first aid section. Each group will write the
instructions of that section on flip chart paper. Number
the papers on the top. Prepare a few questions and on the
following day, ask students to go around and find the
answers on the flip chart papers and write down the
answer on their sheet.
Debrief/Transfer: What did you learn in this lesson?
Where can you use these skills again?
How can you apply these skills at home or at work?
(Encourage students to read product labels before using
them either at home or at work.)
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4
Handout # 1
Activity A
Label 1:
CAUTION: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Do not
spray on food or in the eyes. The use of rubber gloves is
recommended.
Label 2:
FIRST AID: If swallowed, call Poison Control Centre or
doctor immediately. Do not induce vomiting. If in eyes
flush with water for 15 minutes.
Label 3:
FIRST AID TREATMENT:
CAUTION: If swallowed, immediately rinse mouth with
water and drink a glassful of milk or water. Call a poison
Control Centre or doctor immediately. Do not induce
vomiting.
Label 4:
FIRST AID TREATMENT:
CAUTION: If in eyes, flush with running water for one
minute, check and remove contact lenses if present, and
continue to flush in for a few minutes. If on skin, rinse
with water. If breathed in, move person to fresh air.
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4
Handout #2
Read the label with a partner and answer true or false.
DANGEROUS FUMES FORM WHEN MIXED
WITH OTHER PRODUCTS.
CAUTION: Do not mix with bleach or other cleaners as
toxic fumes may result. Do not swallow; avoid contact with
skin and eyes. Handle with care. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF
CHILDREN. The use of rubber gloves is recommended.
Use in a well-ventilated area.
Read the label. Check true or
false.
True
False
You can mix it with other cleaners.
You can use it inside, with all
windows closed.
Avoid contact with eyes.
Using rubber gloves is a good idea.
Do not swallow.
Handle with care.
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4
Centres Activity
Teacher Instructions:
1. Gather some cleaning products. Have students look at the labels and find
the words you have been working on. Review their meaning. Ask them to
give you a few examples of first aid treatments.
2. Organize 3 centres/stations. Place your product bottles in different
stations with the related activity. At each station, students will do
different reading label activities. Prepare activities to go with the
different labels and centres (or use the ones below). You need one type
of activity per centre. However, you need to provide a copy for each
student. Have a few bottles at each centre so more students can do the
activity at the same time.
3. Explain to students what they are supposed to do at each station. They
have to read the instructions, finish their job described on their sheet
and sign their name before moving to the next station.
4. Divide up the students and have them start at different stations. So you
have a few students at each centre at a time.
Centres:
Centre #1: Students have a checklist of information they
have to find on the labels.
Centre #2: Students choose one product label. They have to
write all the do’s and don’ts.
Centre #3: Students will sort products under certain
categories
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4
Centre #1
Product: _______________________
Student’s name: _______________________
Instructions: Read the labels and check
“yes” or “No.”
1. Recommended to use gloves
Yes
No
2. If in eyes, consult physician
3. Induce vomiting
4. Avoid contact with skin
5. If breathed in, move to fresh air
6. Do not mix with other products
7. If swallowed, drink milk
8. If on skin, call a Poison Control
Centre right away
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4
Centre #2
Product: _______________________
Student’s name: _______________________
Instructions: Choose one product. Read the label. Write
down under each column what you can and cannot do.
Do’s
e.g.: Use in a well-ventilated
area.
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Don’ts
e.g.: Do not swallow.
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4
Centre #3
Student’s name: _______________________
Instructions: Sort the cleaning products under the
categories below. Write the name of the product beside
each category.
Do not mix with other
products
If in eyes, rinse
If swallowed, call a physician
May irritate skin
May irritate eyes
Dangerous Fumes
Winnipeg School Division Adult EAL Program
Author: Ana Azevedo
Essential Skill Focus: Reading / Document Use
CLB level: 3/4